Agonist of spexin-based galanin type 2 receptor and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to spexin-based agonists specific for galanin receptor type 2 and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention provides peptide-based agonists with high specificity for galanin receptor type 2 and improved stability. The peptide-based agonists are involved in the regulation of in vivo physiological functions, such as food intake, anxiety, emotion, and addiction, for which galanin receptors type 2 is responsible, to effectively suppress appetite, help recover from anxiety disorder, and reduce pleasure addiction. Therefore, the peptide-based agonists can be used to prevent or treat galanin receptor type 2-mediated diseases.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to spexin-based agonists specific forgalanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) and their use for preventing or treatingGALR2-mediated diseases.

BACKGROUND ART

The novel neuropeptide spexin (Spexin/NQ/NPQ/SPX), which is encoded bythe C12orf39 (chromosome 12 open reading frame 39) gene, was originallydiscovered using bioinformatics tools. The mature spexin peptidesequence consists of 14 amino acids formed as a result of cleavage ofdibasic amino acids by a proprotein convertase and is very wellconserved in typical vertebrate species as well as humans [Mirabeau etal., Genome Res, 2007, 17:320-327]. Spexin expression at the mRNA and/orprotein level has been documented in brain regions and peripheraltissues of several species such as humans, mice, and goldfish,suggesting multiple physiological functions of spexin in vertebrates.Recently, spexin was implicated in regulation of feeding behaviors andrelated metabolic processes. Spexin mRNA levels are markedly decreasedin the fat of obese humans, and administration of spexin leads to weightloss in diet-induced obese rodents. Spexin also suppresses appetite ingoldfish. Recent reports have shown that spexin stimulates intestinalmuscle contraction to induce bowel movements, is expressed in humanendocrine and epithelial tissues, and is associated with glycometabolismand lipometabolism from its reduced level in patients with type 2diabetes. In addition, spexin is likely involved in reproduction,cardiovascular/renal function, and nociception. [Waleski et al., Obesity2014, 22:1643-1652; Wong et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2013,305:E348-366; Liu et al., Mol Cel Endocrinol, 2013, 374:65-72; Toll etal., FASEB J, 2012, 26:947-954; Lin et al., Sci Rep, 2015, 5:12095; Guet al., Peptides, 2015, 71:232-239]. The precise roles of spexin inthese processes, however, are not well understood due to a lack ofinformation on the spexin receptor. Recently, the present inventorsdemonstrated that spexin is an endogenous ligand that acts at galaninreceptor (hereinafter referred to as “GALR”) types 2 and 3 but not atGALR1, while galanin activates all three receptor subtypes. Indeed, itcan be considered that galanin shares activity on GALR2 in common withspexin because of its very low potency for GALR3 [Kim et al.,Endocrinology, 2014, 155:1864-1873].

The spexin and galanin genes likely emerged through a local duplicationfrom a common ancestor gene, and as a result, their mature peptidesshare several conserved residues, including Trp², Thr³, Tyr⁹, and Gly¹²[Kim et al., Endocrinology, 2014, 155:1864-1873]. Like spexin, galaninis widely expressed in the central nervous system and peripheraltissues. The actions of spexin and galanin in appetite behavior andreproduction, however, appear to oppose each other. For instance, levelsof galanin are significantly higher in obese women, and galaninadministration or overexpression in genetically engineered mice resultsin an increase in food intake. Thus, galanin appears to be orexigenic,while spexin is anorexic. Administration of galanin-like peptidestimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, while spexinadministration attenuates LH secretion in the goldfish [Bamowska et al.,Metabolism, 1997, 46:1384-1389; Rada et al., Alcohol, 2004, 33:91-97;Castellano et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2006, 291:E1281-1289;Liu et al., Mol Cel Endocrinol, 2013, 374:65-72]. These opposing effectsare likely due to GALR receptor subtype-specific signaling pathways.Specifically, GALR1 and GALR3 induce inhibitory G_(i)-coupled signaling,while GALR2 triggers stimulatory Gq-coupled signaling [Webling et al.,Front Endocrinol, 2012, 3:146].

Studies on GALR2-mediated phenotypes have been made through attempts todevelop receptor gene knockout (KO) mice and agonists and antagonistsselectively acting on the receptor. In GALR2 KO mice, no unusualabnormalities with respect to sensory function, feeding behavior,reproduction, mood, learning and memory were reported. Later then,anxiety- and depression-related behaviors were demonstrated in GALR2 KOmutants. This phenotype was similar to that observed in GALR1 KO mice;however, this GALR2-mediated effect is likely the opposite of the GALR3effect, as GALR3-specific antagonists decrease anxiety and inducedepression-like behavior [Gottsch et al., Mol Cell Biol, 2005,25:4804-4811; Bailey et al., Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 2007, 86:8-20; Luet al., Neuropeptides, 2008, 42:387-397; Holmes et al.,Neuropsychopharmacology, 2003, 28:1031-1044; Swanson et al., Proc NatlAcad Sci USA, 2005, 102:17489-17494]. GALR2 deficiency resulted indevelopmental loss of dorsal root ganglion neurons and microinjection ofa GALR2-specific agonist into the spinal cord induced allodynic effects,suggesting a possible role in pain behavior. Involvement of GALR2 in themesolimbic reward system has been reported; galanin decreases theamplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potential in dorsal striatum andnucleus accumbens, and this effect is absent in GALR2 KO mice. In thecentral amygdala, galanin, through binding of the GALR2, decreases theamplitudes of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Activationof GALR2 protects the hippocampus from neuronal damage through thephosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt [Shi et al., Eur JNeurosci, 2006, 23:627-636; Liu et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2001,98:9960-9964; Einstein et al., Eur J Neurosci 2013, 37:1541-1549; Bajoet al., Addict Biol, 2012, 17:694-705; Elliotte-Hunt et al., JNeurochem, 2007, 100:780-789]. Such GALR2-mediated phenomena function inopposition, in concert, or independently of GALR1 and GALR3-mediatedphenomena. Nevertheless, these observations suggest the possibleinvolvement of GALR2s in learning and memory, pain, anxiety, and mooddisorders.

Several attempts have been made to develop GALR receptorsubtype-specific agonists. A galanin fragment consisting of the aminoacid residues at positions 2-11 of galanin, GAL (2-11), was firstdeveloped as a GALR2 selective agonists, but further studiesunfortunately revealed that this fragment has similar affinity for theGALR3. Several GALR2-specific agonists, which were generated bymodification at the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of galanin, have beenreported over the years. Of these, M1145 and M1153 were found to exhibitGALR2 selectivity with 50-100-fold binding preference for GALR2 comparedto GALR1 and GALR3; however, at high concentrations, these agonistsretain substantial affinity for GALR1 and GALR3 [Liu et al., Proc NatlAcad Sci USA, 2001, 98:9960-9964; Lu et al., Neuropeptides, 2005,39:165-167; Webling et al., Front Endocrinol, 2012, 3:146; Runesson etal., Neuropeptides, 2009, 43:187-192; Saar et al., Neurochrm Int, 2011,6:714-720].

Despite numerous efforts to develop several species of galanin receptorsubtype-specific agonists in the previous studies, treatment with highconcentrations of the agonists was found to cause specificity problems.Under these circumstances, there arises a need to elucidate GALRsubtype-specific mediated physiological functions in the development ofreceptor subtype-specific agonists.

Thus, the present inventors have succeeded in developing improvedagonists by identifying the reactivity between spexin and GALR2 throughsequencing and substitution of the constituent amino acids of galaninand spexin and increasing the stability of the agonists, and inelucidating the physiological functions of the agonists whenadministered to animals, achieving the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by theInvention

The present invention is aimed at providing peptide-based galaninreceptor type 2 agonist with enhanced selectivity for galanin receptortype 2 and increased stability in blood.

The present invention is also aimed at providing the pharmaceutical useof the peptide-based galanin receptor type 2 agonists for preventing ortreating galanin receptor type 2-mediated diseases.

Means for Solving the Problems

One aspect of the present invention provides a peptide-based galaninreceptor type 2 agonist having having the amino acid sequence set forthin formula 1:

[dN]¹[W]²[T]³[P]⁴[N]⁵[A]⁶[A]⁷[L]⁸[Y]⁹[L]¹⁰[F]¹¹[G]¹²[P]¹³[Q]¹⁴-NH₂  (1)

-   -   wherein one or more amino acids in formula 1 are optionally        substituted; and    -   wherein, in formula 1, [dN]¹ represents D-asparagine and may be        replaced with one of pyroglutamate (pQ), citrulline (Cit),        L-asparagine (N), and glycine (G) or may be replaced with        asparagine protected with polyethylene glycol (PEG), an acetyl        (Ac) group or Fmoc,    -   [W]² may be replaced with D-tryptophan (dW) or a 2-naphtyl        group,    -   [T]³ may be replaced with alanine (A) or lysine (K),    -   [P]⁴ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA) or D-valine (dV),    -   [N]⁵ may be replaced with glutamine (Q),    -   [A]⁶ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA),    -   [A]⁷ may be replaced with methionine (M),    -   [F]⁸ may be replaced with lysine (K), leucine (L) or tyrosine        (Y),    -   [P]⁹ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA) or alanine (A),    -   [Q]¹⁰ may be replaced with D-glutamine (dQ) or histidine (H).

Preferably, the agonist has any one of the amino acid sequences setforth in formulas: 2 to 4:

(2) dNWTPNAALYLFGPQ-NH₂ (3) PEG-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂ (4)Fmoc-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂

A further aspect of the present invention provides a composition forpreventing or treating a galanin receptor type 2-mediated diseaseincluding the peptide-based galanin receptor type 2 agonist.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for preventingor treating a galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease includingadministering a pharmaceutically effective amount of the composition toa subject in need of such prevention or treatment.

Effects of the Invention

The peptide-based agonists of the present invention have highspecificity for galanin receptor type 2 and improved stability. Thepeptide-based agonists are involved in the regulation of in vivophysiological functions, such as food intake, anxiety, emotion, andaddiction, for which galanin receptors type 2 is responsible, toeffectively suppress appetite, help recover from anxiety disorder, andreduce pleasure addiction. Therefore, the peptide-based agonists can beused to prevent or treat galanin receptor type 2-mediated diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 compares the amino acid sequence of spexin with that of galaninand shows mutation positions and modifications of the amino acids in thesequences.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are lists of spexin-based mutant peptides whosesequences include mutation, substitution, and modification of one ormore amino acids.

FIG. 3A shows potencies of spexin-based single mutant peptides towardGALR2 and GALR3.

FIG. 3B shows potencies of spexin-based single (N⁵), double (A⁷F¹¹),triple (N⁵A⁷F¹¹), and quadruple (N⁵A F¹¹P¹³) mutant peptides towardGALR1.

FIG. 3C shows potencies of spexin-based single (N⁵), double (A⁷F¹¹),triple (N⁵A⁷F¹¹), and quadruple (N⁵A⁷F^(1l)P¹³) mutant peptides towardGALR2.

FIG. 3D shows potencies of spexin-based single (N⁵), double (A⁷F¹¹),triple (N⁵A⁷F¹¹), and quadruple (N⁵A F¹¹P¹³) mutant peptides towardGALR3.

FIG. 4 shows quantified potencies of spexin-based mutant peptides towardGALR2 and GALR3.

FIG. 5A shows potencies of D-amino acid-substituted spexin-based mutantpeptides toward GALR2 and GALR3.

FIG. 5B shows potencies of [Asn¹]-substituted/modified spexin-basedmutant peptides toward GALR2 and GALR3.

FIG. 6 shows quantified potencies of D-amino acid-substituted and[Asn¹]-substituted/modified spexin-based mutant peptides toward GALR2and GALR3.

FIG. 7A shows stabilities of spexin-based mutant peptides in thepresence of 100% PBS.

FIG. 7B shows stabilities of spexin-based quadruple mutant peptides (Quanalogs) in the presence of 100% PBS.

FIG. 7C shows stabilities of spexin-based quadruple mutant peptides (Quanalogs) in human serum.

FIG. 7D shows the potencies of spexin-based quadruple mutant peptideanalogs toward a galanin receptor in the HEK293-G_(qi) stable cell lineexpressing GALR2.

FIG. 7E shows potencies of spexin-based quadruple mutant peptide analogstoward a galanin receptor in the HEK293-G_(qi) stable cell lineexpressing GALR3.

FIG. 8 shows quantified stabilities of spexin-based mutant peptides in100% FBS and human serum.

FIG. 9A shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist and spexin onfeeding behaviors.

FIG. 9B shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist and spexin onchanges in body weight.

FIG. 9D shows regulatory effects of different concentrations of a GALR2agonist on feeding behaviors.

FIG. 9D shows regulatory effects of different concentrations of a GALR2agonist on changes in body weight.

FIG. 9E shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist and a GALR2antagonist on feeding behaviors.

FIG. 9F shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist and a GALR2antagonist on changes in body weight.

FIG. 10 shows an increase in the activity of neurons in the arcuatenucleus by treatment with different concentrations of a GALR2 agonist.

FIG. 11A shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist on intracellularsignaling.

FIG. 11B shows stimulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist on POMC geneexpression.

FIG. 11C shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist on -MSH secretion.

FIG. 11D shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist on -MSH secretionin insulin resistance.

FIG. 11E shows regulatory effects of a GALR2 agonist at differentconcentrations on -MSH secretion.

FIG. 12 shows the time in open arm (%, top), the number of open armentry (middle), and number of center crossing (bottom) in a plus mazefor animal models, which were measured by the EPM test to investigatethe therapeutic effects of a GALR2 agonist on anxiety disorder in theanimal models.

FIGS. 13A and 13B shows the times in center (%), distances in center(%), and total distances for 10 min (0-5 min in FIG. 13A and 5-10 min inFIG. 13B) for experimental animals, which were measured by the openfield test (OFT) to investigate the therapeutic effect of a GALR2agonist on movement and anxiety of the animal models.

FIG. 14 shows an increase in the activity of neurons in the amygdala bytreatment with different concentrations of a GALR2 agonist.

FIGS. 15A to 15D show increases in the activity of neurons in brainregions other than the amygdala by treatment with a GALR2 agonist.

FIG. 16 shows effects of a GALR2 agonist on addiction reduction inanimal models, which were investigated by measuring the percentage ofsucrose consumed in total fluid (top), total fluid consumption (middle),and 1% sucrose consumption (bottom) for 2 days using the sucrosepreference test (SPT).

FIG. 17 shows immunohistochemistry (IHC) results of FITC-spexindelivered to the brain tissues of mouse models via nasal inhalation.

FIG. 18 shows increases in the activity of neurons in the amygdala andarcuate nucleus when a GALR agonist was delivered via nasal inhalationas an effective delivery route.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail.

The present invention is directed to a peptide-based galanin receptortype 2 agonist having the amino acid sequence set forth in formula 1:

[dN]¹[W]²[T]³[P]⁴[N]⁵[A]⁶[A]⁷[L][Y]⁹[L]¹⁰[F]¹¹[G]¹²[P]¹³[Q]¹⁴-NH₂  (1)

wherein one or more amino acids in formula 1 are optionally substituted;and

wherein, in formula 1, [dN]¹ represents D-asparagine and may be replacedwith one of pyroglutamate (pQ), citrulline (Cit), L-asparagine (N), andglycine (G) or may be replaced with asparagine protected withpolyethylene glycol (PEG), an acetyl (Ac) group or Fmoc,

[W]² may be replaced with D-tryptophan (dW) or a 2-naphtyl group,

[T]³ may be replaced with alanine (A) or lysine (K),

[P]⁴ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA) or D-valine (dV),

[N]⁵ may be replaced with glutamine (Q),

[A]⁶ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA),

[A]⁷ may be replaced with methionine (M),

[F]⁸ may be replaced with lysine (K), leucine (L) or tyrosine (Y),

[P]⁹ may be replaced with D-alanine (dA) or alanine (A),

[Q]¹⁰ may be replaced with D-glutamine (dQ) or histidine (H).

Preferably, the agonist has any one of the amino acid sequences setforth in formulas: 2 to 4:

(2) dNWTPNAALYLFGPQ-NH₂ (3) PEG-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂ (4)Fmoc-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂

The galanin receptor type 2 agonist of the present invention selectivelyacts on galanin receptor type 2 (hereinafter referred to as ‘GALR2’) andis long-acting.

In the Examples section that follows, galanin and spexin present invarious vertebrate species were confirmed to share tryptophan atposition 2 [Trp²], tyrosine at position 9 [Tyr⁹], leucine at position 10[Leu¹⁰], and glycine at position 12 [Gly¹²] in common when their aminoacid sequences were compared. Mutant peptides were prepared by replacingthe same amino acids of spexin and galanin with the correspondingD-amino acids. Mutant peptides were prepared by replacing the specificamino acids of spexin with the corresponding amino acids of galanin.Mutant peptides were prepared by replacing the 14 amino acids of spexinwith different amino acids or the corresponding D-amino acids. Changesin the activity of the mutant peptides on galanin receptors wereobserved.

The HEK293-G_(qi) stable cell line was employed to observe changes inthe activity of the mutant peptides on galanin receptors. TheHEK293-G_(qi) stable cell line is a cell line in which the C-terminus ofG_(q) is substituted with 3 amino acids of G_(i) to convert the signalsof G_(i) to G_(q) signaling pathways. G proteins are heterotrimers, eachof which consists of α-, β-, and γ-subunits. The α-subunit is involvedin intracellular signal transduction. The α-subunit may be of s-type(Gas), i-type (Gai) or q/11-type. The s-type α-subunit activates adenylcyclase as an intracellular enzyme to produce cAMP, the universal secondmessenger, from ATP and activates protein kinase A (PKA). In contrast,the i-type α-subunit sends signals suppressing the activity of adenylcyclase and the q/11-type α-subunit increases the intracellular level ofcalcium or activates protein kinase C (PKC). GALR subtypes 1 and 3induce inhibitory G_(i)-coupled signaling, while GALR subtype 2 triggersstimulatory G_(q)-coupled signaling. This difference explains the use ofthe HEK293-G_(qi) stable cell line in which the C-terminus of G_(q) issubstituted with 3 amino acids of G_(i) to convert the signals of G_(i)to G_(q) signaling pathways.

When changes in the activity of the mutant peptides on galanin receptorswere measured, the quadruple mutant (N⁵A F¹¹P¹³ or Qu) in which theamino acids at positions 5, 7, 1, and 13 (alanine) were replaced withasparagine [Asn⁵], alanine [Ala⁷], phenylalanine [Phe¹¹], and proline[Pro¹³], respectively, maintained its potency toward GALR2 at a levelcomparable to that of spexin but lost its potency toward GALR3 (seeFIGS. 3A to 3D and FIG. 4). The introduction of the amino acids ofgalanin into spexin did not induce the potency toward GALR1, indicatingspecificity of the corresponding amino acids for the activation ofGALR2.

The purpose of D-amino acid substitution is to identify importantresidues that are responsible for receptor activation and to protect thepeptide from attacks by a large variety of proteases present in serum.The D-amino acid substitution of the amino acids at other positionsexcept the amino acid at position 1 of spexin resulted in a loss ofpotency toward the galanin receptors. However, the substitution ofasparagine at position 1 [Asn¹] of spexin with the corresponding D-aminoacid [dN¹] slightly increased the potency toward both GALR2 and GALR3(FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIG. 6). Such changes show that the substitution ofthe amino acid at position 1 of spexin affords the possibility ofdeveloping stable agonists against proteases in serum.

Thus, asparagine at position 1 [Asn¹] of spexin was replaced withpyroglutamate (pQ), citrulline (Cit), Fmoc, etc. or the N-terminus ofspexin was polyethylene glycolylated (PEG) or acetylated. Suchmodifications had no influence on the potencies toward GALR2 and GALR3,similarly to the D-amino acid substitutions (FIGS. 5A and 5B, and FIG.6). This strongly suggests that the substitution of the amino acid atposition 1 of spexin increases the stability against proteases in serumwhile having no influence on the potency toward GALR.

In the Examples section that follows, the potencies of the peptide-basedGALR2 agonists of the present invention toward GALR2 in serum weredetermined via IP3 production in GALR2-expressing cells to investigatethe stability of the peptide-based GALR2 agonists.

As a result, it was found that the potency of spexin was reduced veryrapidly to 80% or less within 12 h but the mutant peptides underwentless reduction in IP3 production than spexin (FIGS. 7A to 7E and 8) andwere more slowly degraded in serum than spexin, indicating their betterstability in serum. Thus, a quadruple mutant (dN1-Qu) and sextuplemutants (PEG-QudA⁴dQ¹⁴ (PEG-se) and Fmoc-QudA⁴dQ¹⁴ (Fmoc-se)) withincreased stability and specificity for GALR2 were finally developed(FIGS. 7A to 7E and 8).

The effects of the GALR2 agonists were investigated by the followingprocedure. First, a cannula was inserted into the third ventricle ofanimal models. After administration of each GALR2 agonist, changes inthe weight and diet of the animals were compared. As a result, the foodintake was significantly decreased in the animal models administered theGALR2 agonist compared to in the animal models administered spexin. Thisfeed intake decrease induced a weight loss (FIGS. 9A to 9D).

The GALR2 agonist was found to be effective in decreasing feed intakeand body weight in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of theGALR2 agonist disappeared by the administration of commerciallyavailable GALR2 antagonist M871 (FIGS. 9E to 9F).

The administration of the GALR agonist to the ventricle was found toincrease the activity of neurons in the arcuate nucleus known toregulate appetite through c-fos antibody (FIG. 10).

When POMC neurons known to regulate feeding in the brain were culturedin vitro and treated with the GALR2 agonist, the pERK pathway wasphosphorylated. This is different from the insulin-induced effect,indicating that the GALR2-induced effect acts through a pathwaydifferent from the insulin-induced effect (FIG. 11A). In addition, thePOMC gene and α-MSH were increased by treatment with the GALR2 agonist(FIGS. 11B to 11E).

Therefore, the GALR2 agonist can be used as a drug that suppressesfeeding behaviors to treat obesity.

Next, the effect of the GALR2 agonist on recovery from anxiety disorderwas investigated. To this end, a cannula was inserted into the lateralventricle of animal models and the EPM test was conducted to measureanxiety/obsession. When the GALR2 agonist was administered, there was adifference in the number of center crossing but anxiety was reduced(FIG. 12), which were also demonstrated by the OFT (FIG. 13). Anincrease in the activity of neurons was observed in the amygdala, ananxiety-regulating brain region, when the GALR2 agonist was administered(FIG. 14). There was no increase in the activity of neurons in otherbrain regions (FIG. 15). Therefore, the GALR2 agonist can be used as adrug for treating anxiety disorder.

Further, the effect of the GALR2 agonist on addiction reduction wasinvestigated. To this end, a cannula was inserted into the lateralventricle of animal models and the SPT was conducted to measureaddiction. As a result, the sucrose consumption was considerablyreduced, indicating reduced addiction to sweetness (FIG. 16). Thereduced consumption of sucrose as an energy source can mean reducedappetite or feeding behaviors. Therefore, the GALR2 agonist can be usedas a therapeutic agent for addiction and eating disorder.

In order for peptidergic drugs to be delivered to the body and act onthe brain, drug delivery vehicles capable of penetrating the blood brainbarrier (BBB) should be introduced. Drugs can be deliveredintracerebrally via nasal inhalation without the need to develop smallmolecules penetrating the blood brain barrier.

For nasal inhalation of spexin, fluorescent spexin was combined withpropylene glycol and administered to the nose of animal models. As aresult, punctates were found in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) region knownto regulate appetite and the substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area(SN-VTA) known to be involved in emotion regulation (FIG. 17). The nasalinhalation was observed to induce the activity of neurons in theamygdala and arcuate nucleus, like ventricular injection in the twobrain regions (FIG. 18). This suggests that nasal inhalation can be usedfor intracerebral delivery of peptidergic drugs and the GALR2 agonistprepared by amino acid substitution of spexin can be developed as atherapeutic agent for eating- and emotion-related diseases.

The GALR2 agonist of the present invention can be synthesized by asuitable method known in the art, including chemical synthesis (W. H.Freeman and Co., Proteins; structures and molecular principles, 1983).Specific examples of such methods include, but are not limited to,solution phase peptide synthesis, solid-phase peptide synthesis,fragment condensation, and F-moc or T-BOC chemistry.

The GALR2 agonist of the present invention can be prepared by a geneengineering technique. First, a DNA sequence encoding the peptide isconstructed according to a conventional method. The DNA sequence may beconstructed by PCR amplification using appropriate primers.Alternatively, the DNA sequence may also be synthesized using a standardapparatus known in the art, for example, an automated DNA synthesizer(commercially available from Biosearch or Applied Iosystems). Then, theconstructed DNA sequence is inserted into a vector including one or moreexpression control sequences (for example, promotors and enhancers)which are operatively linked to the DNA sequence. Not that theexpression control sequences regulate the expression of the DNAsequence. A host cell is then transformed with the resulting recombinantexpression vector. The resulting transformants are cultured under amedium and culture conditions suitable to induce the expression of theDNA sequence. Then, a substantially pure peptide encoded by the DNAsequence is recovered from the cell culture. The recovery of peptide canbe carried out by a conventional method known in the art (for example,chromatography). As used herein, the term “substantially pure peptide”means that the peptide of the present invention is substantially freefrom any other proteins derived from the host. The genetic engineeringmethod for synthesis of the peptide of the present invention can befound in the following literature: Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning; Alaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor laboratory, 1982; Sambrook et al.,Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Press, N.Y.,Second (1998) and Third (2000) Edition; Gene Expression Technology,Method in Enzymology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Method inEnzymology, Guthrie & Fink (eds.), Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.,1991; and Hitzeman et al., J. Biol. Chem., 255:12073-12080, 1990.

The present invention also provides a composition for preventing ortreating a galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease including thepeptide-based galanin receptor type 2 agonist.

The galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease may be attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, body dysmorphicdisorder, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, cataplexy,dysthymia, general anxiety disorder, hypersexuality, irritable bowelsyndrome, impulse-control disorder (MDD), kleptomania, migraine, majordepressive disorder, narcolepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder,oppositional-defiant disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxietydisorder, chronic pain, intermittent explosive disorder, pathologicalgambling, personality disorder, pyromania, substance abuse andaddiction, trichotillomania or Alzheimer's disease.

Preferably, the GALR2 agonist of the present invention is used toprevent or treat bulimia nervosa, eating disorder, obesity disorder,general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder.obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder,substance abuse and addiction or Alzheimer's disease.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may furtherinclude a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include carriers andvehicles commonly used in the art. Specific examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, ion exchangeresins, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins (e.g.,human serum albumin), buffer substances (e.g., various phosphates,glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and partial glyceride mixturesof saturated vegetable fatty acids), water, salts or electrolytes (e.g.,protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogenphosphate, sodium chloride, and zinc salts), colloidal silica, magnesiumtrisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances,polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyarylates, waxes,polyethylene glycol, and wool fat.

The composition of the present invention may further include alubricating agent, a wetting agent, an emulsifying agent, a suspendingagent or a preservative.

In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention may beprepared into an aqueous solution for parenteral administration,preferably a buffer such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution orphysiologically buffered saline. Aqueous injection suspensions maycontain substances that increases the viscosity of the suspensions, suchas sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol or dextran.

The composition of the present invention may be administeredsystemically or locally. For such administration, the composition may beprepared into appropriate formulations by techniques known in the art.For example, the composition for oral administration may be mixed withan inert diluent or an edible carrier, sealed in a hard or soft gelatincapsule, or compressed into tablets. The active compound may be mixedwith a suitable excipient and used in the form of ingestible tablets,buccal tablets, troches, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, and wafers fororal administration.

For injection or parenteral administration, the composition may beprepared into an injectable freeze-dried powder or solution by asuitable technique known or commonly used in the art. The GALR2 agonistis freeze-dried and stored before use due to its high solubility insaline or buffer. Just before administration, an effective amount of theGALR2 agonist is dissolved in saline or buffer to prepare a solutionsuitable for intravenous administration, subcutaneous administration,intramuscular administration, intraperitoneal administration ortransdermal administration. More preferably, the composition is preparedinto a formulation for intranasal administration for brain delivery.

The effective amount of the active ingredient of the pharmaceuticalcomposition according to the present invention refers to an amountrequired to prevent, prevent or ameliorate the intended disease.

Accordingly, the effective amount will depend on a variety of factors,including the kind and severity of the disease being treated, the kindsand contents of the active ingredient and other ingredients of thecomposition, the type of the formulation, the age, body weight, generalhealth, sex, and diet of the patient, the time and route ofadministration, the rate of secretion of the composition, the durationof treatment, and combination with others drugs.

The dose and administration frequency of the active ingredient are notlimited.

For example, the active ingredient may be administered in an amount of0.01 to 100 mg/kg, preferably 0.1 to 10 mg/kg for an adult. The activeingredient may be administered one to three times daily.

The present invention also provides a method for preventing or treatinga galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease including administering apharmaceutically effective amount of the composition to a subject inneed of such prevention or treatment.

The pharmaceutical composition used in the method for treating a galaninreceptor type 2-mediated disease and its mode of administration havebeen described above and a description thereof is omitted to avoidcomplexity.

According to the method of the present invention, the composition may beadministered to any subject in need of such prevention or treatment.

Subjects to which the pharmaceutical composition can be administeredinclude all animals, for example, humans, pigs, gorillas, monkeys, dogs,cats, mice, and other mammals.

The kind of the galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease is the same asthat described above.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods forachieving them will become more apparent from the following embodimentsthat are described in detail below. However, the present invention isnot limited to the illustrated embodiments and may be embodied invarious different forms. Rather, the disclosed embodiments are providedso that the disclosure of the present invention will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The scope ofthe present invention is defined by the claims that follow.

<Example 1> Development of GALR Type 2-Specific Stable Agonists by AminoAcid Substitution of Spexin

The amino acid sequences of spexin1, spexin2, galanin, and galanin-likepeptides were compared to develop agonists that selectively act on GALR2and are long-acting. The amino acid sequences were downloaded fromEnsembl (http://www.ensembl.org/index.html). Of these amino acidsequences, mature sequences were compared. Galanin and spexin present invarious vertebrate species were confirmed to share tryptophan atposition 2 [Trp²], tyrosine at position 9 [Tyr⁹], leucine at position 10[Leu¹⁰], and glycine at position 12 [Gly¹²] in common when their aminoacid sequences were compared. Mutant peptides were prepared by replacingthe same amino acids of spexin and galanin with the correspondingD-amino acids. Mutant peptides were prepared by replacing the specificamino acids of spexin with the corresponding amino acids of galanin.Mutant peptides were prepared by replacing the 14 amino acids of spexinwith different amino acids or the corresponding D-amino acids. Changesin the activity of the mutant peptides on galanin receptors wereobserved (FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B).

According to the previous literature, it is known that G protein-coupledreceptors bound to agonists replace guanosine diphosphate (GDP) bound tothe α-subunits of the G proteins with guanosine triphosphate (GTP) toinduce intracellular signal transduction. G proteins are heterotrimers,each of which consists of α-, β-, and γ-subunits. The most importantsignals in intracellular signal transduction are generated from theα-subunit. The α-subunit may be of s-type (Gas), i-type (Gai) orq/11-type. The s-type α-subunit activates adenyl cyclase as anintracellular enzyme to produce cAMP, the universal second messenger,from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and activates protein kinase A (PKA).In contrast, the i-type α-subunit sends signals suppressing the activityof adenyl cyclase and the q/11-type α-subunit increases theintracellular level of calcium or activates protein kinase C (PKC).Binding between G protein-coupled receptors and G proteins is a uniquecharacteristic depending on the receptor type. GALR subtypes 1 and 3induce inhibitory G_(i)-coupled signaling, while GALR subtype 2 triggersstimulatory G_(q)-coupled signaling. This difference explains the use ofthe HEK293-G_(qi) stable cell line in which the C-terminus of G_(q) issubstituted with 3 amino acids of G_(i) to convert the signals of G_(i)to G_(q) signaling pathways. The activities of the receptors weremeasured using an SRE-luc assay system designed to express luciferase(luc) by serum responsive element (SRE) promoters. Light caused by areaction between expressed luciferase and luciferin as a substrate wasdetected using a luminometer so that receptor subtype-specific orligand-specific cellular activities were observed. One day afterHEK293-G_(qi) cells were seeded in 48-well plates at a density of 2×10⁴cells/well, plasmid DNA and SRE-luc plasmid DNA, which encode GALR2 andGALR3, respectively, were mixed in a ratio of 1:1 (75 ng+75 ng)/well,and treated with Effectene reagent (2 l/well). After 3 h, media werereplaced with DMEM media supplemented with 10% FBS. After 24 h, the DMEMmedia were replaced with FBS-free DMEM media. After 16 h, eachconstructed spexin-based mutant peptide was further incubated at 37° C.for 6 h. After this stage was finished, cells were washed with PBS andlysed by the addition of 100 μl of lysis buffer (0.1% triton X-100, 0.2MTris, pH 8.0) at room temperature for 20 min. The luciferase activitywas determined using a synergy 2 Multi-mode microplate reader (BioTek,Winooski, Vt., USA) with automatic injection of a luciferin solution(0.5 M MgCl₂, 0.1 M ATP, 0.05 M D-luciferin, 1 M KH₂PO₄, pH 7.8).

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIG. 4, the mutant peptide in whichleucine at position 8 of spexin was replaced with glycine [Gly⁸] showeddecreased potencies toward both GALR2 and GALR3. The mutant peptide inwhich asparagine at position 1 of spexin was replaced with glycine[Gly¹], the mutant peptide in which leucine at position 4 of spexin wasreplaced with leucine [Leu⁴], and the mutant peptide in which glutamineat position 11 of spexin was replaced with histidine [His¹⁴] maintainedtheir potencies toward both receptors without differences from those ofspexin. The mutant peptide in which glutamine, methionine, lysine, andalanine at positions 5, 7, 11, and 13 were replaced with asparagine[Asn⁵], alanine [Ala⁷], leucine [Leu¹¹] or phenylalanine [Phe¹¹], andproline [Pro¹³] maintained its potency toward GALR2 without asubstantial difference but a decreased potency toward GALR3. Theseresults suggest that glutamine at position 5 [Gln⁵], methionine atposition 7 [Met⁷], lysine at position 11 [Lys¹¹], and alanine atposition 13 [Ala¹³] of the spexin amino acid sequence are importantresidues in activating GALR3 rather than GALR2. For additionalinvestigation, multiple mutants were constructed in which the aminoacids at positions 5, 7, 11, and 13 of the spexin sequence were replacedwith the corresponding amino acids of the galanin sequence.

The potencies of the double mutant (A⁷F¹¹) in which the amino acids atpositions 7 and 11 were replaced with alanine [Ala⁷] and phenylalanine[Phe¹¹], respectively, and the triple mutant (N⁵A⁷F¹¹) in which theamino acid at positions 5, 7, and 11 were replaced with asparagine[Asn⁵], alanine [Ala⁷], and phenylalanine [Phe¹¹], respectively, towardGALR3 were considerably reduced. Particularly, the double and triplemutants could maximally activate GALR3 at a high concentration of 10 μM.The quadruple mutant (N⁵A⁷F¹P¹³ or Qu) in which the amino acids atposition 5, 7, 11, and 13 (alanine) were replaced with asparagine[Asn⁵], alanine [Ala⁷], phenylalanine [Phe¹¹], and proline [Pro¹³],respectively, maintained its potency toward GALR2 at a level comparableto that of spexin but lost its potency toward GALR3 (FIGS. 3A to 3D andFIG. 4). The introduction of the amino acids of galanin into spexin didnot induce the potency toward GALR1, indicating specificity of thecorresponding amino acids for the activation of GALR2.

The purpose of D-amino acid substitution is to identify importantresidues that are responsible for receptor activation and to determineresidues that are tolerant of D-amino acid substitution, which functionsto protect the peptide from attacks by a large variety of proteasespresent in serum. Cells expressing GALR2 or GALR3 were treated with themutants in which the amino acids of spexin were replaced with thecorresponding D-amino acids to measure the activities of the mutants(FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIG. 6). Of these mutants, the mutant in which theamino acids at positions 3, 9, and 10 were replaced with thecorresponding D-amino acids exhibited a drastic loss of activity towardboth GALR2 and GALR3, suggesting that the amino acids at positions 3, 9,and 10 of spexin may play a critical role in the activation of bothreceptors. The moderate loss of activity toward both receptors wasobserved for the mutant in which the amino acids at positions 6, 12, and14 were replaced with the corresponding D-amino acids. The substitutionsof the amino acids at positions 2 and 4 only slightly affected theactivation of both receptors, suggesting that tryptophan at position 2[Trp²] and alanine at position 4 [Ala⁴] are not crucial for activationof GALR2 and GALR3. The substitution of asparagine at position 1 [Asn¹]of spexin with the corresponding D-amino acid [dN¹] slightly increasedthe potency toward both GALR2 and GALR3 (FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIG. 6).Such changes show that the substitution of the amino acid at position 1of spexin affords the possibility of developing stable agonists againstproteases in serum. Thus, asparagine at position 1 [Asn¹] of spexin wasreplaced with pyroglutamate (pQ), citrulline (Cit), Fmoc, etc. or theN-terminus of spexin was polyethylene glycolylated (PEG) or acetylated.Such modifications had no influence on the potencies toward GALR2 andGALR3, similarly to the D-amino acid substitutions (FIGS. 5A, 5B, and6). This strongly suggests that the substitution of the amino acid atposition 1 of spexin increases the stability against proteases in serumwhile having no influence on the potency toward GALR.

<Example 2> Investigation of Stability of the GALR2 Agonists in 100%Fetal Bovine Serum

The stability of the spexin-based mutant peptides was investigated. Tothis end, first, each modified mutant peptide at an initialconcentration 10 μM was allowed to react in 100% fetal bovine serum(FBS) at 37° C. for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.

Thereafter, the potencies of the mutant peptide toward GALR2 weredetermined via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) production inGALR2-expressing cells. For the IP3 assay, cells were seeded in 12-wellplates at a density of 2.5×10⁵ cells/well and then the next day, cellswere treated with a mixture of 1 μg of GALR2-encoding plasmid DNA andLipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen). On day following treatment, cells wereincubated in M199 media containing 1% FBS, 1% L-glutamine, 1%antibiotic, and myo-³H inositol 1 μCi/well for 20 h to radioactivelylabel inositol phosphate. After this stage was finished, cells wereallowed to react in buffer A (140 mM NaCl, 20 mM Hepes, 4 mM KCl, 8 mMD-glucose, 1 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mg/ml free fatty acid bovine serumalbumin, and 10 mM LiCl at pH 7.2) for 30 min. After the mutant peptidewas allowed to react in 100% FBS, cells were treated with the mutantpeptide for 40 min at 37° C. Media was removed, and reactions wereterminated by addition of 1 ml of 10 mM cold formic acid to each well.The plates were allowed to stand at 4° C. for 30 min. Then, theresulting extracts were transferred to 6-mL plastic tubes containing 500μl AG1-8× anion exchange columns. The tubes were gently mixed with avortexer, and the supernatants were removed from the labeled mixture.Two washes with 1 ml of triple-distilled water were performed followedby two additional washes with 60 mM ammonium formate/5 mM sodiumtetraborate. The radioactively labeled mixture was eluted from thecolumn with 1 ml of 1 M ammonium formate/0.1 M formic acid (1 mL), and800 μl from the elution were taken from each tube and transferred intoscintillation vials. Then, 2 ml of scintillation cocktail solution(Ultima Gold™, Perkin Elmer, Waltham Mass., USA) was added to eachsample. The radioactivity of the mixture solution of the radioactivelylabeled mixture and the scintillation cocktail solution was measuredusing a TRI carb 2100TR liquid scintillation analyzer (Packard).

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E and FIG. 8, the potency of spexin was veryrapidly reduced to 80% or less within 12 h but the mutant peptide(dAla4) in which alanine at position 4 was substituted and theN-terminus was modified underwent less reduction in IP3 production thanthe wild-type spexin, indicating its better stability (FIG. 7A). Theseresults imply that the substitution of the N-terminus of spexin withhydrophobic molecules, such as PEG or Fmoc molecules, or the replacementof alanine at position 4 and glutamine at position 14 with thecorresponding D-amino acids increased the stability of the peptide inserum.

Meanwhile, the dAla4 and dGln14 substitutions extended the life of thepeptides in serum.

Further, the quadruple mutant (Qu), the mutant peptides in which theN-terminus of the quadruple mutant was modified and/or the mutantpeptide in which the amino acids at positions 4 and 14 were replacedwith the corresponding D-amino acids, were measured for theirdegradation in serum. The quadruple mutants were rapidly degradedcompared to the wild-type spexin but the mutant peptides havingundergone N-terminus substitution with FEG or Fmoc and the mutantpeptide having undergone double substitution of the amino acids atpositions 4 and 14 had extended lifetimes in FBS and human serum,indicating their increased stability (FIGS. 7B and 7C).

The N-terminus modified quadruple mutant peptides showed potenciestoward GALR2 and GALR3 at a level similar to the quadruple mutants(FIGS. 7D and 7E and FIG. 8). The potencies of the modified quadruplemutant peptides toward GALR3 were observed only at a high concentration(10 μM). These results conclude that the mutant peptides presented inFIG. 8 are improved GALR2 agonists that specifically act on GALR2 atlevels similar to the quadruple mutants of spexin and are maintainedvery stable in serum.

<Example 3> Investigation of Inhibitory Effect of the GALR2 Agonists onFood Intake

C57BL/6J black male mice (9 weeks of age) were acquired from Orientbio(www.orient.co.kr). Mice were housed in a cage at 20-24° C. and 40-70%relative humidity under a normal 12:12 light-dark cycle (lights onset at8:00 am), with food and water available ad libitum. All experiments weredesigned to minimize the number of animals. Animals were anesthetized tominimize their suffering in accordance with the Guidelines for EthicalCare and Use of Experimental Animals, which were approved by theinstitutional animal care and use committee of Korea University. Forintracerebroventricular injection, mice were anesthetized with sodiumpentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.), mounted on a stereotaxic apparatus, andimplanted with a 26-guage stainless steel cannula into the right side ofthe lateral ventricle. Two jewelry screws were implanted into the skullas anchors, and the whole assembly was affixed to the skull with dentalcement. Mice were recovered at least 2 weeks before experimentation. TheGALR2 agonist was administered using a Hamilton syringe at a rate of 0.5μl/min. Dietary intakes and weight changes were determined by measuringthe weights of feed and mice before agonist administration, measuringthe weights of the feed over 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 h, and comparing theweight of mice after 24 h with the initial weight.

The effects of the GALR2 agonist on feeding behaviors and changes inbody weight were investigated by the following procedure. First, acannula was inserted into the third ventricle. After administration of 3μg of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (acsf) as a control or 3 μg ofspexin as an experimental group and 3 μg of the peptide dN1-Qu withincreased stability in which the amino acid at position 1 of thequadruple mutant was replaced with the corresponding D-amino acid,changes in the body weight and dietary intake of the animals for 24 hwere compared. The dietary intake was significantly decreased and aweight loss was effectively induced with the passage of time in the miceadministered the GALR2 agonist compared to the spexin-administered miceand the control (FIGS. 9A and 9B). After the PEG sextuple mutant wereadministered at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 3 μg, dietary intakes andweight losses were observed (FIGS. 9C and 9D). When 3 μg of the PEGsextuple mutant were administered following the administration of 10 μgof M871, the effects of the PEG sextuple mutant on dietary intake andweight loss disappeared (FIGS. 9E and 9F).

An increase in the potency of appetite-regulating brain neurons byadministration of the GALR2 agonist was determined byimmunohistochemistry (IHC). 1 h after 0.4, 4, and 40 μg of the GALR2agonist dN1-Qu were administered to the ventricle of adult mice, theanimals were intraperitoneally injected for anesthesia, the chest wascut, a Ringer needle was inserted into the left cardiac ventricle todrain blood with 0.9% physiological saline (50 mL), the cardiacventricle was fixed with 0.9% phosphate buffered saline (200 mL)containing 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 h, and the brain was treated withphosphate buffered saline containing 30% sucrose solution for ˜24 h.Then, the brain was placed in a mold for brain tissue, transferred toand frozen in an isopentane solution kept cold on dry ice with an OCTcomposite containing 30% sucrose solution, and stored at −80° C. beforeuse. The frozen brain tissue was sliced at 40 μm using a cryostatmicrotome, followed by immunohistochemistry. The d-fos antibody suitablefor identifying the activity of neurons (1:2000 dilution ratio) was usedto investigate an increase in the number of c-fos expressing neurons inthe arcuate nucleus, an appetite-regulating brain region, when the GALR2agonist was administered (FIG. 10). POMC neurons known to regulateappetite in the arcuate nucleus were cultured in vitro, treated with theFmoc sextuple mutant (1 μM) and 10 nM insulin, washed with PBS, andlysed by the addition of 100 μl of lysis buffer (0.1% triton X-100, 0.2MTris, pH 8.0) at room temperature for 20 min.

Proteins were extracted from cells and analyzed by Western blotting. AKTand ERK were phosphorylated by insulin but only the ERK pathway wasphosphorylated by the GALR2 agonist, indicating that GALR2 acts througha pathway different from insulin (FIG. 11A). POMC neurons were treatedthe GALR2 agonist and mRNA was then extracted. Increases in the numberof the POMC neurons and the level of α-MSH were observed (FIGS. 11B to11E). This suggests that the improved GALR2 agonist can be used as adrug for obesity treatment due to its ability to suppress feedingbehaviors.

<Example 4> Measurement of Efficacy of the Agonist dN1-Qu on Recoveryfrom Anxiety Disorder

The effect of the GALR2 agonist dN1-Qu on recovery from anxiety disorderwas investigated. In the same manner as in Example 3, a cannula wasinserted into the lateral ventricle of mice. 2-3 h after dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a control or 4 μg of the GALR2 agonist dN1-Qu as anexperimental group was administered, the elevated plus maze (EPM) testwas conducted to measure anxiety/obsession. The EPM test uses across-shaped maze elevated above the floor with closed arms, open arms,and a center and is based on the behavior of mice that prefer to remainin the closed arms. Anxiety is judged to be lower when a larger numberof mice remain in the open arms. After mice was placed on the plus maze,the time spent in the open arms (“time in open arm”), the number of miceentering the open arms (“number of open arm entry”), and the totalmovement (“number of center crossing”) were measured for the first 15min. The results for the last 10 min were used for analysis.

After the GALR2 agonist was administered, there was no difference in thenumber of center crossing, and the time in open arm and the number ofopen arm entry were increased, indicating reduced anxiety (FIG. 12).

The effect of the GALR2 agonist on anxiety reduction was investigated bythe OFT for simultaneously measuring movement and anxiety (FIG. 13). TheOFT is based on the behavior of mice that prefer to stay at theperiphery rather than at the center of a quadrangular area. After micewere placed at the center of a quadrangular area, the proportion of thetime spent in the center (“% time in center”), the proportion of themoving distance in the center (“% distance in center”), and the totalmoving distance (“total distance”) were measured for 10 min from thetime when the animals moved to the periphery. The results were dividedinto two equal periods (5 min each) for analysis. 2-3 h after 4 μg ofDMSO as a control or the GALR2 agonist dN1-Qu was administered to thelateral ventricle of animals, which had previously been evoked byrepeated electric shocks to induce anxiety, anxiety and movement weremeasured.

During the first 5-min period, there was no difference in the totaldistance of the anxiety-induced mice compared to the control DMSO butthe % distance in center was increased by the administration of theGALR2 agonist dN1-Qu, demonstrating that the GALR2 agonist is effectivein reducing anxiety. During the second 5-min period, the anxiety of theDMSO-administered anxiety-induced mice was increased whereas the anxietyof the dN1-Qu-administered mice was reduced, which was demonstrated fromthe increased % distance in center (FIGS. 13A and 13B).

An increase in the potency of anxiety-regulating brain neurons byadministration of the GALR2 agonist was determined byimmunohistochemistry (IHC). ˜1-2 h after 0.4, 4, and 40 μg of the GALR2agonist were administered to the ventricle of adult mice, the animalswere intraperitoneally injected for anesthesia, the chest was cut, aRinger needle was inserted into the left cardiac ventricle to drainblood with 0.9% physiological saline (50 mL), the cardiac ventricle wasfixed with 0.9% phosphate buffered saline (50 mL) containing 4%paraformaldehyde for 24 h, and the brain was treated with phosphatebuffered saline containing 30% sucrose solution for ˜24 h. Then, thebrain was placed in a mold for brain tissue, transferred to and frozenin an isopentane solution kept cold on dry ice with an OCT compositecontaining 30% sucrose solution, and stored at −80° C. before use. Thefrozen brain tissue was sliced at m using a cryostat microtome, followedby immunohistochemistry.

The d-fos antibody suitable for identifying the activity of neurons(1:2000 dilution ratio) was used to investigate an increase in thenumber of c-fos expressing neurons in the amygdala, ananxiety-regulating brain region, when the GALR2 agonist was administered(FIG. 14). In contrast, neurons in other emotion-regulating brainregions were not activated, demonstrating the specific effect of theGALR2 agonist on anxiety regulation (FIGS. 15A to 15D). This suggeststhat the GALR2 agonist can be used as a drug for treating anxietydisorder. The amygdala is closely related to anxiety disorder andpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting that the GALR2 agonistcan also be used as a drug for PTSD treatment.

<Example 5> Identification of Efficacy of the GALR2 Agonist dN1-Qu onAddiction Reduction

The effect of the GALR2 agonist dN1-Qu on addiction reduction wasinvestigated. In the same manner as in Example 3, a cannula was insertedinto the lateral ventricle of mice. After injection of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.4, 4, and 40 μg of dN1-Qu, the consumptions ofwater and 1% sucrose solution were measured for 2 days by the sucrosepreference test (SPT) for addiction evaluation. According to this test,tap water and sucrose solution were filled in respective bottles andweighed before injection of the agonist. After free access to the fluidsfor 2 days, the bottles were weighed to compare the total consumption ofthe fluids and the percentage of the consumed sucrose solution in thetotal fluid consumption.

As a result, there was no difference in the total consumption of thefluids for 2 days. For the control, the consumed sucrose solutionaccounted for ˜70% of the total fluid consumption. In contrast, when theGALR2 agonist dN1-Qu was administered, the sucrose preference wasdecreased to ≤60%. The administration of the GALR agonist dN1-Quconsiderably reduced the consumption of sucrose (FIG. 16). These resultsindicate that addiction to the sweet ingredient was reduced by theadministration of the GALR2 agonist dN1-Qu. The reduced consumption ofsucrose as an energy source can mean a reduction in appetite or feedingbehaviors, suggesting the use of the GALR2 agonist as a therapeuticagent for addiction and eating disorder.

<Example 6> Identification of Intracerebral Delivery Via NasalInhalation

In order for peptidergic drugs to be delivered to the body and act onthe brain, drug delivery vehicles capable of penetrating the blood brainbarrier (BBB) should be introduced. Drugs can be deliveredintracerebrally via nasal inhalation without the need to develop smallmolecules penetrating the blood brain barrier. Indeed, nasal inhalationwas identified as a suitable drug delivery route for oxytocin. Based onthe fMRI result that oxytocin administration induced a change in humanbrain activity, nasal inhalation is expected to more efficientlyincrease the effects of peptidergic drugs on the brain. Theintracerebral delivery of spexin was identified by the followingprocedure. First, spexin was labeled with FITC as a fluorescent tracer(FITC-spexin) and combined with propylene glycol, which is used to studydrug delivery via nasal inhalation. 4 μg of the combination product wasadministered to the nose of mice anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital(50 mg/kg, i.p.). After 3 h, brain regions where FITC fluorescencesignals were seen were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Animalswere intraperitoneally injected for anesthesia, the chest was cut, aRinger needle was inserted into the left cardiac ventricle to drainblood with 0.9% physiological saline (50 mL), the cardiac ventricle wasfixed with 0.9% phosphate buffered saline (200 mL) containing 4%paraformaldehyde for 24 h, and the brain was treated with phosphatebuffered saline containing 30% sucrose solution for ˜24 h. Then, thebrain was placed in a mold for brain tissue, transferred to and frozenin an isopentane solution kept cold on dry ice with an OCT compositecontaining 30% sucrose solution, and stored at −80° C. before use. Thefrozen brain tissue was sliced at 40 μm using a cryostat microtome,followed by immunohistochemistry.

As a result of nasal inhalation of the FITC-spexin, FITC fluorescencesignals were found in the form of punctates in the arcuate nucleus (ARC)region known to regulate appetite and the substantia nigra-ventraltegmental area (SN-VTA) known to be involved in emotion regulation (FIG.17). For nasal inhalation, the GALR2 agonist was combined with propyleneglycol (PEG) and 8 μg of the PEG-se was administered to the nose. 1-2 hafter nasal inhalation, the results were recorded. The results of nasalinhalation were compared with those of intracerebroventricularinjection. The nasal inhalation of the GALR2 agonist was confirmed toincrease the activity of neurons in the amygdala and arcuate nucleus,like the intracerebroventricular injection in the two brain regions(FIG. 18). This suggests that nasal inhalation can be used forintracerebral delivery of peptidergic drugs and the GALR2 agonistprepared by amino acid substitution of spexin can be developed as atherapeutic agent for eating- and emotion-related diseases.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The agonists of the present invention can be used to prevent or treatGALR2-mediated diseases.

1. A peptide-based galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) agonist having theamino acid sequence set forth in formula 1:[dN]¹[W]²[T]³[P]⁴[N]⁵[A]⁶[A]⁷[L]⁸[Y]⁹[L]¹⁰[F]¹¹[G]¹²[P]¹³[Q]¹⁴-NH₂  (1)wherein one or more amino acids in formula 1 are optionally substituted,and wherein [A]⁷ is alanine (A) and [F]¹¹ is phenylalanine (F).
 2. Thepeptide-based galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) agonist according to claim1, wherein the agonist has any one of the amino acid sequences set forthin formulas 2 to 4: (2) dNWTPNAALYLFGPQ-NH₂ (3) PEG-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂(4) Fmoc-NWTdANAALYLFGPdQ-NH₂


3. The peptide-based galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) agonist accordingto claim 1, wherein the agonist does not activate galanin receptor type1 (GALR1) and galanin receptor type 3 (GALR3) but specifically activatesgalanin receptor type 2 (GALR2).
 4. A composition for preventing ortreating a galanin receptor type 2-mediated disease comprising thepeptide-based galanin receptor type 2 agonist according to claim
 1. 5.The composition according to claim 4, wherein the galanin receptor type2-mediated disease is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),bipolar disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa and othereating disorders, cataplexy, dysthymia, general anxiety disorder,hypersexuality, irritable bowel syndrome, impulse-control disorder(MDD), kleptomania, migraine, major depressive disorder, narcolepsy,obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, panicdisorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoricdisorder (PMDD), social anxiety disorder, chronic pain, intermittentexplosive disorder, pathological gambling, personality disorder,pyromania, substance abuse and addiction, trichotillomania orAlzheimer's disease.
 6. The composition according to claim 4, whereinthe composition is prepared into an injectable freeze-dried powder orsolution.
 7. A method for preventing or treating a galanin receptor type2-mediated disease comprising administering a pharmaceutically effectiveamount of the composition according to claim 4 to a subject in need ofsuch prevention or treatment.
 8. The method according to claim 7,wherein the composition is prepared into a freeze-dried powder orinjectable solution.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein thegalanin receptor type 2-mediated disease is attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, body dysmorphicdisorder, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, cataplexy,dysthymia, general anxiety disorder, hypersexuality, irritable bowelsyndrome, impulse-control disorder (MDD), kleptomania, migraine, majordepressive disorder, narcolepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder,oppositional-defiant disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxietydisorder, chronic pain, intermittent explosive disorder, pathologicalgambling, personality disorder, pyromania, substance abuse andaddiction, trichotillomania or Alzheimer's disease.
 10. Thepeptide-based galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) agonist according to claim1, wherein [N]⁵ is L-asparagine (N), [A]⁷ is A, and [F]¹¹ is F.
 11. Thepeptide-based galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) agonist according to claim1, wherein [N]⁵ is N, [A]⁷ is A, [F]¹¹ is F, and [P]¹³ is proline (P).